Food Poisoning in Patong

My story about getting food poisoning in Thailand and how you can prevent yourself from getting it.

Coconuts in Patong

It was in the heat of July when my friend Alyssa and I met up in Patong for a girls trip. We were eager to cruise at the sunny beaches and eat yummy Thai food. We were aware of things like food borne illnesses and Bali belly and how to prevent them from taking a food safety course in college. Both of us being vegan and vegetarian, we thought we had a lower risk of getting sick on this trip than others. Sadly, we were very wrong.

First Meal in Patong

Online we researched the best places to get vegan and vegetarian food. We stumbled across this vegan restaurant at a yoga and spa retreat. We were instantly interested and planned to go that night. On arrival we were warmly greeted and seated at the outside patio right next to the open kitchen where you could see the food being prepared. Shortly after we were seated we were informed that it was buffet night and that we couldn’t order anything from the menu. It was late in the evening and we didn’t feel like searching for restaurant so we decided to stay. We grabbed our plates and began filling them with fresh salads, pastries, and curries. The food was good and we were determined to get our $28 USD worth of food. After finishing our meal and leaving, we instantly felt ill from eating too much food and decided to head home.

Thinking that we had just eaten too much, we expected the stomachaches to conclude shortly, but after the 30 minute drive home I started to feel nauseous. As soon as we made it up to the hotel room, I laid on the cold bathroom floor and felt my body tremble with chills and drip with sweat. At that moment I knew I got food poisoning and the vomiting began. Alyssa started laughing and making fun of the situation. It was all fun and laughs for her until about an hour later. Alyssa came running into the bathroom shoving my limp body out of the way so she could throw up. Throughout the night and next day we spent taking turns using the bathroom to throw up.

Vegan Pad Thai, Water Spinach, and Orange Chick'n

How does this make sense? We didn’t consume any raw or cooked meat and the kitchen looked clean. What we failed to realize is that there are some food borne illnesses that are caused by consuming raw vegetables, salad, and fruit. You can’t be sure the produce in places like Thailand are properly farmed or washed in sanitary conditions. Looking back at our meal we have consumed a large amount of salads and fresh greens. It was easy to overlook this small detail, but the penalty for it was horrendous. Before traveling to places like Thailand, it's a good idea to do some research about food borne illness and how they can be prevented. Below is some information and tips I have learned over the years. I hope it helps you out to plan your next trip!

Sweating, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea are just some of the common symptoms of food poisoning. The food poisoning or food borne “illnesses (are) caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms — including bacteria, viruses and parasites — or their toxins are the most common causes of food poisoning” (Mayo Clinic). In some cases persons that are infected need to seek help from a doctor if symptoms do not subside. Food poisoning is not fun and can be scary, especially when you are traveling in foreign countries. If you find yourself with a foodborne illness or Bali belly, go to a tourist clinic. DO NOT buy or take drugs from corner pharmacy stores. Laws and restriction are not as strict in foreign countries and taking the wrong pills with improper dosage can be fatal.

Street Food Sushi Cart in Northern Thailand

If you choose to eat at a street cart, only eat from ones that have a fast food turnover rate to ensure your are eating only the freshest food. Meaning, if there are two street carts and one has a long line with food being prepared right at that moment and served fresh, it's guaranteed safer than eating at another cart with no line and food that has been sitting out for a while. The food temperature danger zone for prepared food is between 40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that prepared food or food that requires refrigeration should not sit at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees. At these temperatures, bacteria grows the fastest. The larger amount of bacteria in food, the higher the risk of getting sick. Try to eat only freshly cooked vegetables and only eat fruits that have been washed with safe water and you cut yourself.

Vegan Street Food Cart Northern Thailand

These are just some tips I learned. I hope they can help prevent you from getting sick. Leave a comment below if you ever have had food poisoning while travel and how you got it. Remember to be kind, humble, and never stop being curious.